Manchester United will welcome in-form Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as they try to return to winning ways.
Match Preview
While the Red Devils’ form has been nothing to write home about this season, the club has dealt with so many issues off-field.
Antony, Jadon Sancho and the club’s drawn-out ownership saga have since followed during the international break.
And all these are not helping Erik ten Hag’s plans, and Red Devils supporters are merely craving a day without drama at Old Trafford.
Manchester United also lost 1-3 to rivals Arsenal in a dramatic circumstances two weeks ago.
The match looked to be a draw until Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored in the 96th and 101st minutes to give Arsenal the win.
Erik ten Hag’s men will also face Bundesliga giants in their opening Champions League group-stage match next Wednesday.
The club has not lost three of their opening five league games since the 1989-90 campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson, and Ten Hag will want to maintain that.
While Manchester United started slow this season, their opponents Brighton have continued to go from strength to strength and have made a positive start to the new season.
The Seagulls have won three of their opening four Premier League matches and scoring 12 goals in the process – more than any other top-flight team to date.
Unlike Manchester United, Brighton bounced back from a brief wobble against West Ham United and won the match.
Brighton will also play in their first-ever Europa League match against AEK Athens next Thursday and De Zerbi is focused on both United and the Europa league match.
The Seagulls travel to Manchester United after winning four and lost four of their last eight Premier League away fixtures.
Manchester United vs Brighton: Team News
Antony will not represent the club ‘until further notice’ amid allegations of assault made against him, while Raphael Varane (muscle), Luke Shaw (muscle), Tyrell Malacia (muscle).
Also, on the absent list for United, are Amad Diallo (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle) and Tom Heaton (calf).
Sofyan Amrabat is doubtful with a back problem, but Manchester United might risk it to play the Moroccan while Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount could also be in a position to return.
Antony is unavailable and Sancho is also expected to miss out after being banned from training following his social media outburst towards Ten Hag.
Bruno Fernandes, Facundo Pellistri and Alejandro Garnacho are all options who could start on the right flank, while Marcus Rashford will start on his favorite left wing.
Brighton are sweating over the fitness of Ferguson who withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a knee injury.
New signings Ansu Fati and Carlos Baleba are both in contention to make their Seagulls debuts at Old Trafford.
Fati might play in the No.10 role in between star wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March, and the latter is set to battle with Billy Gilmour and Mahmoud Dahoud for a start in centre-midfield alongside newly-capped Germany international Pascal Gross.
Probable Line-Up
Manchester United probable starting lineup:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Brighton & Hove Albion probable starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Milner, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour; March, Fati, Mitoma, Pedro
Manchester United vs Brighton: Prediction
Manchester United will likely make Brighton struggle at the Old Trafford but it is difficult to predict a favourite for this fascinating match-up.
Brighton have scored in each of their last 15 Premier League away games and will be confident of breaching Man United’s backline, but we believe that the hosts will find a way to claim a share of the spoils.
At Futballnews, we are predicting that the match between United and Brighton will end in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
